The Prime Minister congratulates him on his promotion and appointment and wishes him success in his new role
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday promoted Pakistan Army Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Aamer Raza to the rank of four-star general and appointed him as Commander of the National Strategic Command (NSC). PHOTO: Office of the Prime Minister
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has promoted Pakistan Army Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Aamer Raza to the rank of four-star general and appointed him as Commander of the National Strategic Command, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said on Friday.
According to the PMO, the Prime Minister congratulated General Aamer Raza on his promotion and appointment and wished him all the best in discharging this important responsibility.
Islamabad, July 24, 2026.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif announced the promotion of Lieutenant General Aamer Raza, HI(M), SBt, Chief of General Staff of the Pakistan Army, to the rank of “Four Star General” and his appointment as “National Strategic Commander… pic.twitter.com/U1Qk2K5nsl
– Prime Minister’s Office (@PakPMO) July 24, 2026
The position was created under the 27th Constitutional Amendment, which rewrote Article 243. The amendment abolished the long-standing position of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCSC) and created the positions of Chief of Defense Forces and Commander of the National Strategic Command. It also expanded the constitutional powers of the country’s top military leaders and introduced constitutional protections for five-star generals.
Read: Senate passes military reforms approved under 27th Constitutional Amendment
Under the amendment, the Prime Minister appoints the Commander of the National Strategic Command on the recommendation of the Chief of Army Staff and the Chief of Defense Forces. The appointment is for a three-year term, while the Prime Minister is authorized to determine the terms, conditions and rules governing this office.
The amendment also allows the prime minister to reappoint the commander for an additional three-year term on the recommendation of the chief of defense forces.
It further provides that the appointment, reappointment or extension of the position of Commander of the National Strategic Command cannot be challenged in any court, thereby placing such decisions beyond any judicial review. The bill also states that clauses relating to retirement age, length of service or dismissal under the Army Act will not apply to the Commander of the National Strategic Command, who will continue to serve as a general in the Pakistan Army while holding office.
Under the amendment, the commander of the National Strategic Command has the rank of general in the Pakistan Army.
On December 4, Field Marshal Asim Munir was appointed as the country’s first chief of defense forces, a position also created by the 27th Amendment. He would serve as both Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and CDF, a rare distinction in the country’s military hierarchy.
